Christa Barfield, a former Philadelphia health‑care worker, has set a date for a new venture in Kensington. The venture, named CornerJawn, will extend her farm’s reach into the city’s food system. Barfield says the store will sell fresh produce, herbs, and basic meds.
Her farm, covering 128 acres outside West Chester, employs 26 people and is the largest Black‑owned farm in Pennsylvania. Since 2018, she has grown tomatoes, corn, watermelons, collard greens and more, using regenerative and organic methods. Farm operations now span rural, suburban and urban settings—West Chester, Elkins Park and Kensington. The company’s leadership team credits gig‑work deliveries for the capital that launched the venture.
Barfield’s urban model in Kensington contrasts with the rural plot on Westtown School’s campus and the suburban field in Elkins Park. Each site follows a different farming model, yet all share a commitment to sustainability and community outreach. She says the goal is to prove that farming can thrive anywhere.
Barfield explains that CornerJawn will be more than a shop; it will be a hub where residents learn where their food originates. She hopes to build relationships that "clean up the food system" and give back to neighborhoods that lack access. The store will also host workshops for local schools, giving students hands‑on lessons in agriculture. Community members in Kensington already line up to support the initiative.
If the launch succeeds, Barfield plans to replicate her model in other Black communities across the country. She is also looking to partner with state agencies to expand regenerative agriculture training. The next step will be a series of pop‑up markets to test demand before full rollout.